Ryan wins regional apprenticeship accolade

At a special ceremony, held at the Sketchley Grange Hotel in Hinckley on Wednesday, Ryan heard that he’d been named East Midlands Regional Winner for the Intermediate Apprentice of the year.

Ryan (pictured receiving his award), who is the council’s communication and business support apprentice, attended the celebratory event with communications and customer services manager Rachael Felts and corporate director Beverley Jolly.

The National Apprenticeship Awards challenge top apprenticeship employers and apprentices across England to come forward and show how apprenticeships have made a real difference to their organisation and careers.

The awards, now their 13th year, attract around 1,200 applicants and are run by the National Apprenticeship Service.

They recognise excellence in two main areas:

• businesses that grow their own talent with apprenticeships
• apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces

As a regional winner, Ryan now has the opportunity to enhance his application to be in with the chance of progressing to national judging. If his application is successful he will attend the National Apprenticeship Awards celebration event at Grosvenor House in London. 

Ryan (18) said: “My apprenticeship has been a hugely beneficial and rewarding experience. Not only has it given me a nationally-recognised qualification it has also opened doors, equipped me with knowledge and offered me the chance to develop both workplace and personal skills. I hope to progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship, with support from Harborough District Council, which will be another exciting opportunity for me.”  

Beverley Jolly, Corporate Director at Harborough District Council said: “We are very proud of what Ryan has achieved. To be named a regional winner from around 1,200 entrants is amazing. He has been an asset to the council and it has been rewarding watching him develop as an apprentice into a valuable member of the workforce. As a council we are committed to creating more opportunities for apprentices, and encouraging other organisations and businesses to do so.”

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “I would like to congratulate Ryan on his achievement. Winning this award is greatly deserved. There has never been a better time to become an apprentice or employ one.”

To find out more about the National Apprenticeship Awards, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/national-apprenticeship-awards

Read more about the regional winners here – Midland’s top apprentices and apprentice employers announced